Week 18 CFL rankings, picks: B.C. remains on top, but they’re not a lock to beat the Stamps

Allen Cameron, Calgary Herald10.25.2012

Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman talks into his headset during the final minutes of CFL action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday Sept. 28, 2012. The Tiger-Cats defeated the Alouettes 41-28. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins

1. B.C. (1) — The Lions have shown some grit down the stretch in dealing with some injuries, most notably to their starting quarterback Travis Lulay. Mike Reilly stepped in very capably, and certainly increased speculation that he’ll be an Ottawa Whatever down the road.

2. Calgary (2) — The win over Hamilton was certainly nothing to write home about; the best thing you can say is that the Stampeders did enough not to lose. Still, mission accomplished. The Stamps now have some fine-tuning to do before the West semi.

3. Montreal (3) — Arguably the biggest win of the season for the Alouettes; Marc Trestman’s squad silenced a few doubters by going into Regina and silencing the Riders and their fans. Memo to Trestman: better get Shea Emry some boxing lessons.

4. Saskatchewan (4) — Riders have been knocked off their perch over the past two weeks; Saturday’s loss to Montreal was humbling, and had to have been a wake-up call. Things came awfully easily during the win streak. Too easily, apparently.

5. Winnipeg (7) — Good luck trying to get a fix on this football team. When they’re down and out, that’s seemingly when they’re at their best. Bombers still have a shot at the playoffs, shockingly. If they can harness what they did in Toronto and Montreal this month, they might extend their season.

6. Edmonton (5) — You won’t get too many chances like the Eskimos had to kick a Lions team that had some significant players watching and not playing, and the Esks couldn’t take advantage. Defence is getting hosed by an offence that can’t stay on the field.

7. Toronto (6) — Argos are in a free fall, and a promising season hangs in the balance. The Argos would have to do something truly awful to miss the playoffs, but based on their performance in recent weeks, that’s not out of the realm of possibility.

8. Hamilton (8) — On some level you have to feel for Henry Burris; he can’t be faulted for Saturday’ loss (although you’d expect more than eight points of seven Stampeder turnovers). The Ticats seem like a cursed football team right now.

POSTMEDIA’S WEEKLY FEARLESS PREDICTIONS

Allen Cameron, Calgary Herald

Last week: 2-2. Season: 37-27

Vicki Hall, Calgary Herald

Last week: 2-2. Season: 30-34

Chris O’Leary, Edmonton Journal

Last week: 2-2. Season: 31-33

Week 18 Picks

(All times MDT; all games on TSN)

Friday

B.C. at Calgary, 7 p.m.

CAMERON: So here’s the dilemma for John Hufnagel: how to balance the desire to end a string of futility against the Lions against the desire to stay healthy before the playoffs. Glad it’s him making the decision. B.C.

HALL: No one will dare say it, but the major objective of this game is perfectly clear: to avoid injury heading into the playoffs. Regardless, the Stamps could badly use the confidence boost of finally beating a Lions team that stands in the way of a trip to the Grey Cup. Calgary.

O’LEARY: Is this a playoff preview or rest-up week for the starters of two teams with nothing to play for? Drew Tate will likely be the most motivated player on the field on Friday, and for good reason. A strong game from Tate will have some fans clamouring for his return as the team’s starter. Calgary.

Saturday

Winnipeg at Hamilton, 11 a.m.

CAMERON: If you can only watch one battle of 5-11 football teams this year, make it this one. Kidding aside, this is easily the most compelling matchup of the weekend. Go with the team with the momentum. Winnipeg.

HALL: A last gasp for two teams with no real business of qualifying for the playoffs. Should be interesting to see how the Tabbies recover from such a soul-sucking loss to the Calgary Stampeders on a botched hold by Andy Fantuz. Under Tim Burke, the Bombers are playing better football, but the Ticats are due. Hamilton.

O’LEARY: The Ticats bid farewell to Ivor Wynne Stadium as they know it in their regular-season finale. That in itself, let alone the playoff implications that surround Hamilton (they need to win their final two games and have Edmonton lose their final two to qualify) should be enough to have them playing like there’s no tomorrow. Hamilton.

Toronto at Saskatchewan, 2 p.m.

CAMERON: Riders spit the bit against an East Division visitor a week ago. It won’t happen again. Gang Green needs a confidence boost before the playoffs, and the Argos are the perfect solution. Saskatchewan.

HALL: We’re not sure how much more Ricky Ray can do in attempt to thaw the coldest team in the league in the Argonauts. The inconsistent Riders toy with the emotions of the faithful every week. Still, the green team appears destined for a West semifinal date with Calgary. Saskatchewan.

O’LEARY: The Riders have a playoff date set with Calgary, but need to generate some momentum in the final two weeks of the season. Their opponents are not the team to take notes from in that category. Ricky Ray’s return wasn’t enough for the Argos last week and his team still hasn’t locked up its playoff berth. Saskatchewan.

Sunday

Edmonton at Montreal, 11 a.m.

CAMERON: A tough two weeks near the end of the season for the Eskimos, with road trips to the geographical extremes in the CFL back to back. But it doesn’t matter where this game was played; the result would be the same. Montreal.

HALL: A quick glance at the history books shows us that Edmonton wins in Montreal about as often as Marc Trestman smiles. This game means nothing to the Als, but Montreal is just too strong — especially at home. Edmonton’s quarterbacking issues continue to plague them. Montreal.

O’LEARY: The formula for Edmonton this week is very similar to last week’s: Go into a place that’s historically unkind to them, against a hot team that’s somewhat slowed by injuries. In Montreal, Anthony Calvillo will pose a mountain of problems to the Eskimos, who will stay a win away from clinching their playoff berth for one more week. Montreal.

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Week 18 CFL rankings, picks: B.C. remains on top, but they’re not a lock to beat the Stamps

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